SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
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SCHEDULE 13D
(Rule 13d-101)
INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN STATEMENTS FILED PURSUANT
TO RULE 13d-1(a) AND AMENDMENTS THERETO FILED PURSUANT TO
RULE 13d-2(a)
(Amendment No. )1
ALLTRISTA CORPORATION
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(Name of Issuer)
COMMON STOCK, NO PAR VALUE PER SHARE
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(Title of Class of Securities)
020040101
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(CUSIP Number)
STEVEN WOLOSKY, ESQ.
OLSHAN GRUNDMAN FROME ROSENZWEIG & WOLOSKY LLP
505 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10022
(212) 753-7200
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(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person
Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)
December 13, 2000
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(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of This Statement)
If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G
to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is
filing this schedule because of Rule 13d-1(e), 13d-1(f) or 13d-1(g), check the
following box |_|.
Note. Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original
and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits. See Rule 13d-7 for
other parties to whom copies are to be sent.
(Continued on following pages)
(Page 1 of 10 Pages)
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1 The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting
person's initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of
securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would
alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.
The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not
be deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act
but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the
Notes).
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CUSIP No. 020040101 13D Page 2 of 10 Pages
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1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
STEEL PARTNERS II, L.P.
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2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) |_|
(b) |_|
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3 SEC USE ONLY
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4 SOURCE OF FUNDS*
WC
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5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e) |_|
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6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
DELAWARE
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NUMBER OF 7 SOLE VOTING POWER
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY 457,800
OWNED BY
EACH
REPORTING
PERSON WITH -----------------------------------------------------------------
8 SHARED VOTING POWER
-0-
-----------------------------------------------------------------
9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
457,800
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10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
-0-
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11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING
PERSON
457,800
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12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES
CERTAIN SHARES* |_|
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13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
7.2%
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14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
PN
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*SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
<PAGE>
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CUSIP No. 020040101 13D Page 3 of 10 Pages
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1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
WARREN G. LICHTENSTEIN
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2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) |_|
(b) |_|
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3 SEC USE ONLY
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4 SOURCE OF FUNDS*
OO
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5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e) |_|
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6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
USA
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NUMBER OF 7 SOLE VOTING POWER
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY 457,800
OWNED BY
EACH
REPORTING
PERSON WITH -----------------------------------------------------------------
8 SHARED VOTING POWER
-0-
-----------------------------------------------------------------
9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
457,800
-----------------------------------------------------------------
10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
-0-
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11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING
PERSON
457,800
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12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES
CERTAIN SHARES* |_|
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13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
7.2%
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14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
IN
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*SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
<PAGE>
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CUSIP No. 020040101 13D Page 4 of 10 Pages
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The following constitutes the Schedule 13D filed by the undersigned
(the "Schedule 13D").
Item 1. Security and Issuer.
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This statement relates to shares (the "Shares") of the common
stock, no par value per share ("Common Stock"), of Alltrista Corporation (the
"Issuer"). The principal executive offices of the Issuer are located at 5875
Castle Creek Parkway, North Drive, Suite 440, Indianapolis, Indiana 46250-4330.
Item 2. Identity and Background.
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(a) This Statement is filed by Steel Partners II, L.P., a
Delaware limited partnership ("Steel Partners II"), and Warren G. Lichtenstein.
Steel Partners, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company
("Partners LLC"), is the general partner of Steel Partners II. The sole
executive officer and managing member of Partners LLC is Warren Lichtenstein,
who is Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and Secretary.
Each of the foregoing are referred to as a "Reporting Person"
and collectively as the "Reporting Persons". By virtue of his position with
Steel Partners II, Mr. Lichtenstein has the power to vote and dispose of the
Issuer's Shares owned by Steel Partners II. Accordingly, the Reporting Persons
are hereby filing a joint Schedule 13D.
(b) The principal business address of each Reporting Person is
150 East 52nd Street, 21st Floor, New York, New York 10022.
(c) The principal business of Steel Partners II is investing
in the securities of small cap companies. The principal occupation of Mr.
Lichtenstein is investing in the securities of small cap companies.
(d) No Reporting Person has, during the last five years, been
convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar
misdemeanors).
(e) No Reporting Person has, during the last five years, been
party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent
jurisdiction and as a result of such proceeding was or is subject to a judgment,
decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or
mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any
violation with respect to such laws.
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CUSIP No. 020040101 13D Page 5 of 10 Pages
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(f) Mr. Lichtenstein is a citizen of the United States of
America.
Item 3. Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration.
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The aggregate purchase price of the 457,800 Shares of Common
Stock owned by Steel Partners II is $6,024,681. The Shares of Common Stock owned
by Steel Partners II were acquired with partnership funds.
Item 4. Purpose of Transaction.
----------------------
The Reporting Persons purchased the Shares based on the
Reporting Persons' belief that the Shares at current market prices are
undervalued and represent an attractive investment opportunity. Depending upon
overall market conditions, other investment opportunities available to the
Reporting Persons, and the availability of Shares of Common Stock at prices that
would make the purchase of additional Shares desirable, the Reporting Persons
may endeavor to increase their position in the Issuer through, among other
things, the purchase of Shares of Common Stock on the open market or in private
transactions or otherwise, on such terms and at such times as the Reporting
Persons may deem advisable.
No Reporting Person has any present plan or proposal which
would relate to or result in any of the matters set forth in subparagraphs (a) -
(j) of Item 4 of Schedule 13D except as set forth herein or such as would occur
upon completion of any of the actions discussed above. Steel Partners II intends
to review its investment in the Issuer on a continuing basis and engage in
discussions with management and the Board of Directors of the Issuer concerning
the business, operations and future plans of the Issuer. Depending on various
factors including, without limitation, the Issuer's financial position and
investment strategy, the price levels of the Common Stock, conditions in the
securities markets and general economic and industry conditions, may in the
future take such actions with respect to its investment in the Issuer as it
deems appropriate including, without limitation, seeking Board representations,
making proposals to the Issuer concerning the capitalization and operations of
the Issuer, purchasing additional Shares of Common Stock or selling some or all
of its Shares or to change its intention with respect to any and all matters
referred to in Item 4.
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CUSIP No. 020040101 13D Page 6 of 10 Pages
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Item 5. Interest in Securities of the Issuer.
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(a) The aggregate percentage of Shares of Common Stock
reported owned by each person named herein is based upon 6,329,859 Shares
outstanding, which is the total number of Shares of Common Stock outstanding as
reported in the Issuer's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
October 1, 2000 and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
November 14, 2000.
As of the close of business on December 21, 2000, Steel
Partners II beneficially owns 457,800 Shares of Common Stock, constituting
approximately 7.2% of the Shares outstanding. Mr. Lichtenstein beneficially owns
457,800 Shares, representing approximately 7.2% of the Shares outstanding. Mr.
Lichtenstein has sole voting and dispositive power with respect to the 457,800
Shares owned by Steel Partners II by virtue of his authority to vote and dispose
of such Shares. All of such Shares were acquired in open-market transactions.
(b) By virtue of his positions with Steel Partners II, Mr.
Lichtenstein has the sole power to vote and dispose of the Shares reported in
this Schedule 13D.
(c) Schedule A annexed hereto lists all transactions in the
Issuer's Common Stock in the last sixty days by the Reporting Persons.
(d) No person other than the Reporting Persons is known to
have the right to receive, or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from,
or proceeds from the sale of, such Shares of the Common Stock.
(e) Not applicable.
Item 6. Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships With
Respect to Securities of the Issuer.
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Other than as described herein, there are no contracts,
arrangements or understandings among the Reporting Persons, or between the
Reporting Persons and any other Person, with respect to the securities of the
Issuer.
Item 7. Material to be Filed as Exhibits.
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1. Joint Filing Agreement.
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CUSIP No. 020040101 13D Page 7 of 10 Pages
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SIGNATURES
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of his knowledge and
belief, each of the undersigned certifies that the information set forth in this
statement is true, complete and correct.
Dated: December 21, 2000 STEEL PARTNERS II, L.P.
By: Steel Partners, L.L.C.
General Partner
By: /s/ Warren G. Lichtenstein
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Warren G. Lichtenstein
Chief Executive Officer
/s/ Warren G. Lichtenstein
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WARREN G. LICHTENSTEIN
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CUSIP No. 020040101 13D Page 8 of 10 Pages
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SCHEDULE A
Transactions in the Shares Within the Past 60 Days
Shares of Common Stock Price Per Date of
Purchased / (Sold) Share Purchase / (Sale)
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STEEL PARTNERS II, L.P.
10,000 $12.7338 10/16/00
7,800 $12.0027 10/18/00
18,000 $12.0276 10/19/00
(308,800) $11.6250 (11/08/00)
9,400 $12.1345 12/11/00
67,500 $14.5527 12/12/00
308,800(2) (2) 12/13/00
5,300 $14.3743 12/13/00
36,000 $14.0412 12/14/00
13,300 $13.8485 12/15/00
8,000 $14.1125 12/18/00
5,000 $14.0800 12/19/00
4,500 $12.4806 12/21/00
WARREN LICHTENSTEIN
None
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2 The 308,800 Shares of Common Stock were acquired pursuant to a European
put/call option agreement entered into between Steel Partners II, L.P. ("Steel")
and Bank of America, N.A. on November 10, 2000 and which expired on December 11,
2000. Steel exercised its call option on such date, which settled on December
13, 2000, at a price of $11.625 per share. The net cost of the put/call option
was $56,510.
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CUSIP No. 020040101 13D Page 9 of 10 Pages
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EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit Page
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1. Joint Filing Agreement 10
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CUSIP No. 020040101 13D Page 10 of 10 Pages
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JOINT FILING AGREEMENT
In accordance with Rule 13d-1(k)(1)(iii) under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the persons named below agree to the joint
filing on behalf of each of them of a Statement on Schedule 13D dated December
21, 2000 (including amendments thereto) with respect to the Common Stock of
Alltrista Corporation. This Joint Filing Agreement shall be filed as an Exhibit
to such Statement.
Dated: December 21, 2000 STEEL PARTNERS II, L.P.
By: Steel Partners, L.L.C.
General Partner
By: /s/ Warren G. Lichtenstein
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Warren G. Lichtenstein
Chief Executive Officer
/s/ Warren G. Lichtenstein
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WARREN G. LICHTENSTEIN